"Basically, the team knows each other from playing at Denbigh," says left fielder Jody McLean. "We started playing pickup ball on Sundays and then moved to the real thing.

"The first year, Jim Osborne of the Rec Department put us in the `BB' League, that's just below the `A' League and those guys are almost semi-pro quality. I guess, though, will be moving up because we've done so well recently."

That was five years ago and the team was known as Rock City.

"We didn't win a game the first year," says Robert Manny, who leads the team in batting with a .629 average. "But we all stayed together and McCardy started coaching.

"He does a great job. He's very strict. He makes us practice three hours every Sunday and doesn't allow us to drink on game days or at practice."

Manny says the team just missed second place this summer by a half game.

"We're ready to move up to a stronger league now," he says. "We can do it."

The fall season started in early September and runs through this week. There is no post-season tournament.

Manny is officially a utility player. "I go in when somebody else sits down," he says. "I don't mind, its a lot of fun."

According to McLean, the team spends atleast 12 hours a week on the field.

"But that's not too long if you want to really be good and we want to win," he says.

After this week - unless rain pushes action into early November - the Animals will hibernate until spring.

"The first break in the weather, though, probably late March or early April, McCardy will have us back out practicing for the summer season," says Manny.

"Then we'll start all over again and more than likely we'll be winning."